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Abi Brighton and Miya Poplin attended USYSA ODP National Camp with players from around the country. Abi and Miya both are on the South Carolina and Region III 2002 ODP teams. They started their journey by making the state level team, then the region pool, then the Boca Raton roster and now their invitation to National Camp where they hope their next destination is U.S. Soccer National Team Camp. 

Abi and Miya both have been part of Storm Soccer Academy since they were U10 players and are an integral part of the 01 Girls Black. They also regularly participate with the 99 Girls Black in various events. 

Juan Zuñiga has been selected to participate in the U.S. Soccer U-15 Boys National Team Camp this week. Zuñiga was picked to the 36-player roster by U15 head coach John Hackworth. He is the only player from South Carolina chosen to participate in the camp, which will run from Dec. 13-20th in Sunrise, Florida.

“I feel very happy and proud of being a part of the camp and I am very excited to attend” says Juan of his selection A member of Storm SA ’01 Boys Black, Juan has show exceptional technical skill and tactical awareness throughout the season. “Juan is a complete player. For his age group, Juan is physically on the very top end.” says Storm founder and ’01 Boys coach Jeremy Aven. “As a left footed player, Juan brings a dynamic at the national team level that has allowed him to be identified over thousands of other players.”

For Juan, his biggest strength has been his improvements in his off the ball movements, “Practicing (at Storm) moving without the ball and giving options to my teammates to give me the ball, I feel it’s what’s helped me the most.” 

Juan will be utilized as a left back for the national team, but he’s gotten experience playing forward and center back with his club and the Region III team, the type of versatility that he will look to utilize at the national team camp. “I expect to get the ball more often and find the striker a lot more. Since I’m playing as a left back, I hope to find attackers and create shots on goal”.

For Juan, playing at the top level is nothing new. He is an ’02 Boys Region III ODP member, and recently participated at the US Youth Soccer’s ODP Thanksgiving Inter-Regionals in Casa Grande, Arizona. There, he finished tied for first amongst all teams with 2 goals in the tournament. He also spent time playing with Storm SA 99 Boys Black team, a participant in the U16 Region 3 Premier League. 

Juan is the 3rd Storm SA player to be invited to a U.S. Youth national team camp. “This is a clear indicator that Storm continues to rival much larger clubs with our ability to grow technically savvy players who can compete at the regional and national team level ” says Jeremy Aven.

STATESBORO, GA – October 28, 2015 – The new South Georgia Tormenta FC unveiled their identity program at the Bishop Fieldhouse on the campus of Georgia Southern University at noon on Wednesday. 

“Today marks another important step in our franchise history.  Today brings a little attitude and storytelling to a new brand I know resonates with Statesboro, Savannah, and all of South Georgia,” remarked Team President Darin Van Tassell.  “The growing soccer community of South Georgia continues to make huge strides in almost every facet of the sport, and the addition of a new PDL team will continue that growth exponentially at the next level,” said Jeremy Aven, Team Owner and General Partner.  The youth and adults in the area that are passionate about the sport seem to be eager to embrace a minor-league atmosphere, Tormenta FC will fill that void in this market. Our community loves soccer, and we now hope they will grow to love Tormenta FC as their team.” 

The team name was selected after more than 2500 fans suggested almost 200 different names in a month-long name-the-team contest. Tormenta FC is the Spanish name for storm, representing the tormenting the club will bring to its opponents and the intense force of nature its players seek to embody. 

The centerpiece of the logo is the glossy ibis, a local bird known for its bravery. The ibis is the last to take cover in a storm and the first to return after a storm has passed. The ibis is leading a storm and looming over all things soccer in South Georgia.  

Midnight Navy, Sky Blue, Silver and Magenta make up the club’s new official colors, paying tribute to the storm in the sky, storm in the ocean, and passion for soccer in the community.  

Tormenta FC’s look was brought to life at Brandiose in San Diego.  Partners Jason Klein and Casey White also developed top-selling looks for the World Series, Nike, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and America’s oldest baseball club, the Cincinnati Reds. This year they dreamed up the iconic soccer brands for the Tulsa Roughnecks and FC Juarez.

FC Tormenta owner Jeremy Aven commented, “Working with such a great company like Brandiose was very exciting. They clearly brought a lot of experience to the table, but it was great to hear their thought process of building and changing a brand. They always have a different thought process and are willing to be different and cutting edge. They are definitely a cut above anyone else I have dealt with.” Van Tassell added, “Working with Jason and Casey has been first-class.  Their ability to celebrate a local story and turn it into a brand is a wonderful tribute to our region.  I know it will quickly become a brand celebrated by our fan base.”

The newly named Tormenta FC also serves as a tribute to the formal ties it now shares with the youth soccer club, Storm Soccer Academy.  Storm Soccer Academy will follow the path of many clubs throughout the world, as Storm SA will fold its operations and affiliation into the professional environment created by Tormenta FC.  “This integration will be the first of its kind in South Georgia and one of few outside the MLS,” said Aven.  “A connection with a team like Tormenta FC in the PDL will allow youth players at Storm SA the direct path to grow at every age and level. Storm SA has already established itself as a regional contender in youth soccer circles, and with this change it will offer even more opportunities to its players and families.” 

Tormenta FC will unveil their new uniforms for the 2016 season at a later date.  Merchandise featuring Tormenta FC’s new look is available now at The Clubhouse in Statesboro and online at www.www.tormentafc.com.